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Delicious Bourbon Chicken

Section: Evening Favorites

This dish uses chicken thighs cooked slowly in a sweet and savory mix of bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, and some spice. The slow cooker helps the flavors blend well, making the chicken super tender and tasty. After cooking, stir in a cornstarch mix to thicken the sauce for a shiny finish. Throw on some fresh green onions and serve with white, brown, or cauliflower rice. You can tweak the heat with red pepper flakes and add more veggies for a well-rounded plate.

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Lindsey
Created By Lindsey
Most recently updated on Sun, 30 Nov 2025 23:32:08 GMT
Close-up of crock pot filled with tasty cooked chicken Save
Close-up of crock pot filled with tasty cooked chicken | cookbing.com

This bourbon chicken made in a slow cooker is super easy and really comforting. It’s perfect for nights when you don’t want to spend ages in the kitchen. The chicken turns tender as it soaks up a sweet, tangy sauce with a little kick from bourbon and red pepper flakes.

After a crazy day, I made this and loved how it filled the house with a warm, cozy scent. It quickly became our go-to meal on hectic evenings.

What You Need

  • Chicken thighs: trimmed of fat for juicy, tasty meat that stays moist
  • Soy sauce: choose a good naturally brewed one for that salty depth
  • Red pepper flakes: for just the right touch of heat, add as much as you like
  • Honey: brings natural sweetness and balances the sauce
  • Cornstarch: used with water to thicken the sauce smoothly
  • Chopped green onions: sprinkle on top at the end for a fresh bite
  • Bourbon whiskey: pick a mid-range bottle you enjoy, it adds warmth and flavor
  • Light brown sugar: gives a caramel-like sweetness that beats plain white sugar
  • Apple cider vinegar: adds a bright tang that wakes up the sauce without being too strong
  • Ground ginger: use fresh ground if you can for a gentle spicy hint
  • Garlic: freshly minced for bold flavor

How To Make It

Get The Chicken Ready:
Put the trimmed chicken thighs right into the slow cooker first. That’s your base layer.
Whip Up The Sauce:
Toss brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, honey, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic in a bowl. Mix it well until smooth.
Cover The Chicken:
Pour the sauce over the chicken so every piece gets a good soak. This helps the flavors soak in while cooking.
Cook It Slow Or Fast:
Cover the slow cooker and go low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours. The chicken should be tender and easy to shred when done.
Shred The Meat:
Take out the chicken and chop or shred it how you like for the best texture.
Make The Sauce Thicker:
Mix cornstarch and water to get a smooth slurry. Stir this into the slow cooker’s sauce to get a shiny, thick glaze.
Mix Back And Finish:
Put the chicken back in and stir so it’s all covered in the thick sauce. Let it cook for 5 to 10 minutes more till the sauce is nice and thick. Turn off the heat and toss on the chopped green onions for a fresh pop.
Serve It Up:
Dish it over white, brown, or cauliflower rice for a comforting, easy meal with a veggie boost if you want.
Close up of crock pot full of bourbon chicken.
Close up of crock pot full of bourbon chicken. | cookbing.com

I love the bourbon part because it adds a subtle smoky warmth that lifts up all the flavors. It reminds me of cozy family meals from when my parents introduced me to slow cooker dinners that filled the whole house with great smells and warmth.

How To Store

Keep any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave to keep chicken from drying out. The sauce thickens after chilling so add a bit of water or broth when reheating if needed.

Swap Ideas

You can use chicken breasts but watch the time since they dry out faster. Swap honey with maple syrup for a different sweet flavor with some extra depth. Try rice vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar if you want a milder tang.

Serving Tips

Pair it with steamed green veggies like broccoli or snap peas for freshness. A sprinkle of sesame seeds or chopped peanuts adds crunch and texture. Roasted sweet potatoes are also great to balance the sweetness with earthiness.

Close-up of crock pot with chicken inside.
Close-up of crock pot with chicken inside. | cookbing.com

This dish is cozy and comforting without much effort. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want good flavor but easy cooking.

Frequently Asked Cooking Questions

→ What chicken cut should I use?

Boneless skinless chicken thighs work best since they stay juicy and have great flavor when cooked slowly.

→ Can I swap brown sugar for something else?

Sure, honey or maple syrup can replace brown sugar, but keep in mind the taste will change a bit.

→ How do I thicken the sauce after it's done?

Make a slurry by mixing cornstarch with water and stir it into the hot sauce. Cook for a couple minutes until it gets thicker.

→ Can I make this more or less spicy?

You can add more or less red pepper flakes to get your wanted level of heat, from mild to medium spicy.

→ What goes well on the side?

Steamed broccoli and white, brown, or cauliflower rice all make great sides to round out the meal.

→ Do I have to use a slow cooker?

You can simmer the chicken gently on the stove too, just keep an eye on the cooking time since it won’t be as slow.

Bourbon Chicken

Slow-cooked chicken in a rich bourbon sauce, great served with rice or cauliflower rice for a tasty meal.

Preparation Time
15 minutes
Time to Cook
360 minutes
Overall Time
375 minutes
Created By: Lindsey

Type of Recipe: Dinner

Cooking Difficulty: Great for Beginners

Cuisine Style: American

Servings Yielded: 7 Number of Servings

Diet Preferences: Dairy-Free Option

Ingredients List

→ Protein

01 Trimmed boneless skinless chicken thighs, 1360 g

→ Sauce Mix

02 4 minced garlic cloves
03 21 g honey
04 0.5 g crushed red pepper flakes
05 80 ml bourbon whiskey
06 240 ml soy sauce
07 0.5 g ground ginger
08 30 ml apple cider vinegar
09 200 g light brown sugar

→ Thickener

10 30 ml water
11 24 g cornstarch

→ Topping

12 Chopped green onions, 15 g

Detailed Cooking Steps

Step 01

Switch off the heat, sprinkle the green onions on top, and enjoy with white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice if you want fewer carbs.

Step 02

Mix the cornstarch blend into the sauce in the cooker, add back the shredded chicken, stir it up well and let it cook for 5 to 10 more minutes until the sauce thickens up.

Step 03

Stir water and cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth to create a thickening mix.

Step 04

Take out the chicken and shred or chop it to how chunky you like.

Step 05

Put the lid on and let it go on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours till the chicken is tender and fully cooked.

Step 06

Ladle the mixed sauce over the chicken in the cooker all around.

Step 07

In a bowl, blend together the garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, whiskey, vinegar, ginger, honey, and pepper flakes till smooth and well mixed.

Step 08

Lay the trimmed chicken thighs flat at the bottom of your slow cooker.

Helpful Hints

  1. If you want more kick, add extra red pepper flakes. To get a thicker sauce, simply add more cornstarch mix. Try pairing this with steamed broccoli or any veggies you like for a filling meal.

Necessary Kitchen Tools

  • Slow cooker
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Knife and cutting board

Allergy Information

Always check ingredient labels for allergens and ask a doctor if unsure.
  • Has soy from soy sauce and might have gluten

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

These nutritional values serve as a guide and don’t replace advice from healthcare experts.
  • Calorie Count: 450
  • Fat Content: 15 grams
  • Carbohydrate Content: 35 grams
  • Protein Amount: 45 grams